BenQ has long been one of the premiere producers of professional-grade monitors for a variety of use cases. Its monitors offer superb color accuracy right out of the box, and its line of photo editing monitors offers features to make life easier for photographers. And now, two new options offer even better results for those of us who want extremely precise colors. The BenQ PhotoVue SW272Q and SW272U are both 27-inch monitors with the company’s Fine-Coated panel technology and certified color quality. Here’s what to expect from each of BenQ’s newest models.

BenQ PhotoVue SW272Q and SW272U design

BenQ’s two new models have most features and specs in common. They are both 27 inches with a new, sleeker design. The back of the monitors still sports a carrying handle like previous versions of BenQ’s photo editing monitors, but it is slimmed down a bit. And a detachable cover hides ports and cables to keep your desk cleared off and organized looking.

BenQ also redesigned the base of the stand. The front of the base features a leatherette finish that looks nice and keeps your devices—such as cameras, phones, or monitor calibration tools—from getting scratched. The bottom of both displays sports an SD card slot, an audio jack, and two USB-A ports on the left side. On the right side, you’ll find a newly designed five-way controller to access menus and change settings, along with a function key and information key. There’s also a USB-C port that provides 90W of power, so you can cut down on cords left cluttering your desk.

Display design & color accuracy

One of the most significant upgrades with the PhotoVue SW272Q and SW272U is the new Fine-Coated panel. This new panel results in a “paper-like screen effect” and is certified by TÜV Rheinland for reflection-free performance. Managing reflections while editing photos and videos can be extremely frustrating and result in eye strain, so a monitor that potentially eliminates that struggle is exciting.

The Fine-Coated panel does more than cut down reflections. When paired with the BenQ Paper Color Sync software, it delivers 99 percent coverage of Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, and Display P3 wide color gamuts with a Delta E ≤ 1.5 color accuracy. Without getting into the nitty gritty, Delta E is used to refer to color accuracy, indicating how a test color differs from a reference color. A Delta E of less than one means that there is no perceivable difference for experts. So, a Delta E of around 1.5 will result in prints that look just like what you see on your monitor when editing, simplifying the printing process.

Adding to the color performance are BenQ’s third-gen Uniformity and Color Consistency technologies. These utilize “high-precision apparatus to adjust hundreds of sub-regions of the screen,” resulting in precise color across the entire display. And it helps when color-matching multiple monitors. Finally, the PhotoVue SW272U and SW272Q are certified by Pantone Validated, Pantone SkinTone, and Calman Verified for color performance and calibration.

BenQ PhotoVue SW272Q and SW272U features

One of the most powerful features of the PhotoVue monitors is the ability to access BenQ’s Palette Master Ultimate calibration software. You will still need a calibration device, such as one by Datacolor, but the software makes the process easy. BenQ has been working on the development of this upgraded software version for six years, and it is now even easier to use with a lower learning curve. The new algorithms shorten the calibration time by 50 percent, meaning you can get back to editing much faster. It also cuts the Delta E in half, providing more accurate results.

Palette Master Ultimate offers real-time reviews to compare results, which wasn’t possible with the previous version of Palette Master. The program has reference images already loaded, or you can input your own as well. And you can export your detailed calibration report into pdf format now. And like other PhotoVue monitors, you’ll also have access to Paper Color Sync, which allows you to simulate a test print without wasting paper and precious ink.

Both the PhotoVue SW272Q and SW272U come with the brand-new hotkey puck G3, which offers wireless functionality. The puck provides shortcuts to settings like color spaces, color, and contrast. The keys are customizable, so you can set it up in a way that works best for your workflow. And there is a switch key to easily swap between two monitors.

Differences between the PhotoVue SW272Q and SW272U

All of the above features and design details are consistent between the PhotoVue SW272Q and SW272U. But there are a few differences that may determine which is best for your needs. The SW272U offers a higher 3840 by 2160 resolution compared to the SW272Q’s 2560 by 1440. Both support HDR, but the SW272U also supports HLG (hybrid log–gamma). Finally, the SW272U can be rotated to either landscape or portrait orientation, with a shading hood that is compatible with both setups. The SW272Q only supports landscape orientation with the shading hood.

Pricing & availability

The price is the most significant difference between the two models. The SW272Q is priced at $799.99, while the SW272U is $1,599.99. If you are a video editor or someone who needs or wants the best possible resolution and image, then the more expensive SW272U is your best bet. But, if you are a photographer who won’t be taking advantage of HLG, you can probably get away with saving yourself $800 and going with the PhotoVue SW272Q.

Both monitors are available for pre-order now through BenQ’s website. The SW272U will begin shipping on June 26, but you’ll have to wait until July 3 for the SW272Q.

The post BenQ announces two photography monitors with even better color accuracy appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) took place a few days ago, and the company announced some upgrades to three of its computers. The Mac Pro, Mac Studio, and MacBook Air all see reasonable updates to improve performance over previous versions. The MacBook Air comes in a new, larger 15-inch size with the same Apple silicone M2 chip found in the previous model. Meanwhile, the two desktop computers get the benefit of the brand-new M2 Ultra chip, which was also announced at WWDC. Apple also announced its take on mixed reality with the Apple Vision Pro headset. The expensive spatial computer isn’t available until early next year, however, so the computer news is the most relevant for the time being. Here are the details on each of the newest Apple computers.

Apple 15-inch MacBook Air

For years, the MacBook Air has only been available in its standard 13-inch size. But now, Apple has created a 15-inch version with a 2880 x 1864 resolution. The larger Liquid Retina Display is ideal for all sorts of reasons, but it’s especially nice for photographers, videographers, or creatives in general who use the laptop for editing content. And despite the larger display size, it’s still shockingly tiny. It’s less than half an inch thin and weighs only 3.3 pounds. That is slightly lighter than the smaller 14-inch MacBook Pro.

Beyond the larger size, not much differs from the 13-inch to the 15-inch. It still charges via the MagSafe charger, and provides a 1080p camera, dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a headphone jack. It still offers 18 hours of battery life it’s available in the same four colors—Space Gray, Silver, Midnight, or Starlight.

Apple did take advantage of the extra real estate on the 15-inch model and added two more speakers for a total of six. That should provide better sound quality overall, which is nice for watching movies, but also editing video. Additionally, the 10-core GPU comes standard in the 15-inch, whereas it is offered as an upgrade in the 13-inch. Apple claims that the new MacBook Air will offer performance that is almost 40 percent faster than the previous generation in workload-intensive programs like Final Cut Pro. Applying filters or effects in Photoshop should be 20 percent faster, according to Apple.

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Pricing & availabiliity

The base model of the 15-inch MacBook Air will cost you $1,299 and features the M2 chip, 8GB of memory, and a 256GB SSD. You can also upgrade to 512GB of storage for an additional $200. A MacBook Air with that much storage and the specs seen in this device, priced at $1,499, is quite reasonable, which we normally can’t say for Apple devices. The powerful laptop is available for pre-order now and will begin shipping next week.

Apple Mac Pro

The Mac Pro last saw an update in 2019. So, it’s about time the desktop received some upgrades. Visually, the Mac Pro is essentially the same as the previous edition. But, inside are some important changes. Most notably, it will finally transition to Apple silicon instead of an Intel processor. The new chip is the M2 Ultra, which was announced at the same time.

The M2 Ultra effectively connects the die of two M2 Max chips, resulting in double the performance. It supports 192GB of unified memory, which is 50 percent more than the M1 Ultra. And it offers with 800GB/s of unified memory bandwidth, which is twice the M2 Max. Apple says it also “features a more powerful CPU that’s 20 percent faster than M1 Ultra, a larger GPU that’s up to 30 percent faster, and a Neural Engine that’s up to 40 percent faster.”

The newest Mac Pro comes standard with a 24-core CPU and can be configured with up to a 76-core GPU. Apple says it will be three times faster than the previous Intel-based model. It features the same media engine as Mac Studio with M2 Ultra, which allows you to play an absurd 22 streams of 8K ProRes video. It is also capable of ingesting 24 4K camera feeds and encoding them to ProRes in real time when using six video I/O cards.

Beyond the exciting hardware, the Mac Pro with M2 Ultra will offer eight Thunderbolt 4 ports, which is double the 2019 version. And there are three USB-A ports, two HDMI ports that support 8K resolution and up to 240Hz refresh rates, two 10Gb Ethernet ports, and a headphone jack. The computer also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for better wireless connectivity.

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Pricing & availability

The base Mac Pro with M2 Ultra model features a 60-Core GPU, 64GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD. Pricing starts at $6,999. Or you can upgrade to a 76-core GPU for an additional $1,000. Both versions are available for pre-order now and will begin shipping next week.

Apple Mac Studio

Apple introduced the Mac Studio last year. It was already an impressive machine, but it is already seeing an upgrade to boost performance for professionals even more. Like the Mac Pro, the new Mac Studio will get the newly developed M2 Ultra chip, though only in some models, which will result in faster processing overall. It will also be available with the M2 Max chip, which Apple claims will perform 50 percent faster than previous Mac Studio models. The updated Mac Studio offers a 12-core CPU, up to a 38-core GPU, and up to 96GB of unified memory with 400GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Additional updates include a higher-bandwidth HDMI on the back, which will enable 8K resolution at up to 240Hz frame rates. It supports up to six Pro Display XDRs, so you can be fully surrounded by screens while you work. Wireless connectivity has also been upgraded to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The back of the device offers four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 10Gb Ethernet port, and two USB-A ports. And on the front, you’ll have access to two USB-C ports and a convenient SD card slot.

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Pricing & availability

The base model of the Apple Mac Studio features the M2 Max chip, 12-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 32GB memory, and 512GB SSD for $1,999. Or you can upgrade to the M2 Ultra chip with a 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 64GB memory, and 1TB SSD for a total of $3,999.

Apple Vision Pro

Although the computers mentioned above saw some pretty substantial upgrades, the biggest announcement of the day was the Apple Vision Pro. This headset is Apple’s take on mixed reality, which it calls “spatial computing.” It is a goggle-like device with clear lenses, enabling you to still see the world around you. The entirely new device will also get an entirely new operating system: visionOS. Windows and apps will expand in front of you, appearing to be right in the room that you are in.

The device requires a pocket-sized external magnetic charging battery pack and doesn’t utilize a controller of any type. Instead, you control it with your eyes, body movements, and speech. It will offer 23 million pixels across two displays for a 4K experience and uses “custom Apple silicon in a unique dual-chip design.”

From a photography perspective, the goggles will feature Apple’s first 3D camera. It will allow you to capture scenes and then immerse yourself in the memory. Videos taken with the 3D camera will get the benefit of Spatial Audio as well. And, if you take a panoramic image with your iPhone and view it with Apple Vision Pro, it will expand and wrap around you, making it feel as though you are back in that setting.

Apple Vision Pro won’t be available until early next year. Even though it is a consumer-based product, it will be priced at $3,499, which is much more in-line with similar products that are geared towards corporate or commercial-based users.

The post Apple releases updates to Mac Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio computers appeared first on Popular Photography.

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While DJI often grabs most of the glory in the gimbal world, Zhiyun has been quietly making excellent camera stabilizers for relatively affordable prices. Now, the company has announced two new gimbals, including the Crane-M 3S for smaller cameras and phones and the upmarket Weebill 3S for mirrorless cameras. Both models are already available for order. Here’s a rundown of each offering.

Zhiyun Crane-M 3S

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This is the smaller of Zhiyun’s new offerings, and it’s meant for more compact camera setups like the Canon EOS-M50, the Nikon Z 50, the Sony A6300, or other similar (mostly crop-sensor) bodies with kit lenses. The battery promises up to 7.5 hours of life on a single charge, but that really depends on your usage and camera kit. When you do run out of battery, however, it’s easy to swap batteries on and off to keep filming without having to take apart the gimbal or even remove the camera.

The Crane-M 3S weighs just about 1.5 pounds, and it adds a few nice features not found in the previous model. The new version now includes a small light that sits next to the camera and draws power directly from the Crane M-3S battery. It’s small, but it allows you to change the color temperature of the light to better match your surroundings.

A 1.22-inch, full-color display allows for easy navigation around the shooting modes and settings. The Crane-M 3S shooting modes include a panorama sweep and a new Vortex mode, which rotates the camera in a dynamic way. Newly added Bluetooth connectivity eschews the need for a wire for starting and stopping recording at the simple touch of a button.

The Zhiyun Crane-M 3S is currently available for $299, and it comes with a case, an extension handle that splits into tripod feet, and the necessary wires.

Zhiyun Weebill 3S

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If you’re looking for something to support a larger mirrorless camera with a full-frame sensor, then the Weebill 3S should fit your need. This new model boasts the ability to easily switch back and forth between horizontal and vertical shooting modes. That’s increasingly important in a world where vertical, short-form video continues to gain momentum. Tik Toks have to look good, too.

The vertical flipping mechanism works on a quick-release system, so it’s easy to clip the camera without having to worry about the motors moving the camera around. Zhiyun has also improved the sling grip with an adjustable wrist rest that can accommodate whatever hand position you prefer.

A 0.96-inch display allows for quick navigation through the menus, and wireless controls from the gimbal work with most major camera releases. The built-in joystick adds an extra level of control in addition to the trigger and control wheel on the front of the device. Like the Crane-M 3S, the new Weebill 3S also includes the small fill light complete with adjustable color temperature. Of course, using that light will affect the overall battery life, which can go up to 11.5 hours under the right circumstances.

The Zhiyun Weebill 3S is available now for $319 for the gimbal alone, or you can go up to $439 if you want the extra handle, adjustable wrist rest, and case. If you’re going to be shooting for extended periods of time, we definitely recommend the kit with the extra ergonomic handles. Your wrists and forearms will absolutely appreciate the extra investment.

The post Zhiyun releases new Crane-M 3S and Weebill 3S gimbals for smooth video appeared first on Popular Photography.

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As photographers, memory is something we simply cannot have enough of. Hard drives always fill up faster than we expect, and memory cards go missing. Those items usually aren’t cheap, though, especially if you are looking for large-capacity units. This Memorial Day’s memory and storage deals are robust, however. Whether you are looking for desktop drives to keep your library backed up, portable SSDs for on-the-go storage, or memory cards to keep you shooting longer, chances are good that you can find impressive savings.

SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $299.99 (was $899.99)

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The SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD is one of our favorite portable drives for photographers and videographers. It offers read and write speeds up to 2000MB/s, which is plenty fast to edit directly from the drive itself, keeping your computer’s hard drive free of clutter. The rubberized coating makes it a bit grippy, so it won’t slip off surfaces or out of your hand, and it provides protection in case of a fall. And the drive is IP55 rated, so you can take this thing on the most adventurous outings, and your files will be safe.

OWC Atlas Ultra 650GB High-Performance CFexpress Type B $519.99 (was $739.99)

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CFexpress cards are the new kid on the block in terms of camera memory, and as a result, it’s the most expensive memory card type. They don’t go on sale often, either, so a deal like this is one you don’t want to pass up. OWC makes some very advanced memory devices, including this CFexpress Type B card. It promises up to 1500MB/s write, 1300MB/s minimum sustained write speed, and 1700MB/s read speeds, which is fast enough to keep up with 8K video. And it’s impact, bend, shock, ESD, UV ray, and X-ray resistant.

More Memorial Day memory and storage deals

Desktop drive deals

• WD 8TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive $159.99 (was $199.99)
• WD 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $229.99 (was $379.99)
• WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $344.99 (was $505.99)
• WD 20TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID External Hard Drive HDD $699.99 (was $799.99)
• LaCie D2 Professional 16Tb, External Hard Drive $479.99 (was $529.99)
• LaCie d2 Professional 10TB External Hard Drive Desktop HDD $304.95 (was $319.99)
• LaCie 1big Dock 18TB External Hard Drive HDD Docking Station $729.00 (was $849.00)

Portable HHD deals

• WD 2TB My Passport for Mac $64.99 (was $89.99)
• WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver Portable External Hard Drive HDD $129.99 (was $164.99)
• WD 4TB My Passport Ultra for PC Silver Portable External Hard Drive HDD $109.99 (was $139.99)
• WD 4TB Elements Portable HDD, External Hard Drive $89.99 (was $139.99)
• LaCie Rugged USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $169.99 (was $189.99)
• LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $99.99 (was $109.99)
• LaCie Rugged Mini 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $169.99 (was $179.99)
• LaCie Mobile Drive 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD $119.99 (Was $139.99)

Portable SSD deals

• WD 2TB Elements SE – Portable SSD $99.99 (was $109.99)
• WD 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive, Gray $69.99 (was $199.99)
• WD 2TB My Passport SSD $109.99 (was $379.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 1TB, Portable SSD $79.99 (was $89.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 Shield 4TB $219.99 (was $429.99)
• WD 4TB My Passport SSD $239.99 (was $679.99)
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD $119.99 (was $549.99)
• LaCie Rugged SSD 500GB $109.99 (was $179.99)

CFexpress memory card deals

• OWC 128GB Atlas Pro High-Performance CFexpress Type B $84.99 (was $94.99)
• OWC Atlas Ultra 165GB High-Performance CFexpress Type B $159.99 (was $169.99)
• OWC Atlas Ultra 325GB High-Performance CFexpress Type B $289.99 (was $349.99)
• SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B $436.12 (was $599.99)

MicroSD memory card deals

• SAMSUNG PRO Endurance 256GB MicroSDXC Memory Card $26.63 (was $54.99)
• SanDisk 1TB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I $119.00 (was $299.99)
• SanDisk 1TB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I $89.99 (was $136.99)

SD memory card deals

• SAMSUNG EVO Plus Full Size 256GB SDXC Card $22.49 (was $39.99)
• OWC Atlas Pro 256GB SDXC UHS-II V60 $54.99 (was $79.99)
• OWC Atlas Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-II V60 $29.99 (was $39.99)
• OWC Atlas Pro 256GB SDXC UHS-II V90 $229.99 (was $259.99)
• OWC Atlas Pro 64GB SDXC UHS-II V90 $64.99 (was $74.99)
• SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC UHS-I $29.99 (was $49.99)
• SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I $159.99 (was $179.20)
• SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I $29.25 (was $44.99)
• SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II $249.99 (was $329.99)
• Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC UHS-II $119.99 (was $169.99)
• Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Memory Card $36.99 (was $44.99)

The post The best Memorial Day memory card and storage deals: SDs, SSDs, and more appeared first on Popular Photography.

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As photographers and video makers, we spend a ton of time in front of our computers. Even over this long Memorial Day weekend, we’ll all probably spend some time in front of our glowing screens editing images and footage that we shot during the holiday. If your computer is slow or your monitor’s colors are getting wacky, this is a great opportunity to get a new one with a solid discount. Whether you’re looking for a MacBook, a Windows machine, a new display, or something else, there’s a good chance it’s on sale this weekend. We’ll update these links periodically (between hot dogs), but if you see something you want, don’t wait on it because things will sell out or change price.

Apple 2021 MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro chip with 10‑core CPU and 16‑core GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,899 (was $2,499)

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This is the exact laptop I have been using for about a year now, and it has been the best computer I’ve ever owned. The 14-inch screen isn’t huge, but it offers high enough resolution that it’s easy to edit on and very portable. Apple’s proprietary chips run shockingly fast thanks to the very tight integration between shared memory (RAM), GPU, and CPU. Yes, it’s one generation old, but the leap from the M1 to the M2 wasn’t nearly as huge as the previous-gen leap, so don’t let that discourage you. This is a beast of a computer that will serve as your editing machine for years to come.

The best Memorial Day laptop deals

• Apple 2022 MacBook Pro Laptop with M2, $1,099 (Was $1,299)
• Dell Inspiron 16 5630 Laptop, $1230.22 (Was $1,299.99)
• Dell Inspiron 3511 Laptop, $859 (Was $949)
• HP – ENVY 2-in-1 15.6″ Full HD Touch-Screen Laptop – Intel Evo Platform – Core i7 – 16GB Memory – 512GB SSD $799 (was $1,149)
• Acer Aspire 5 A515-46-R3UB, $319.99 (Was $389.99)
• Acer Aspire Vero AV15-51-7617, $509.99 (Was $699.99)
• ASUS – ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition 15.6″ QHD Gaming Laptop – AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX – 16GB Memory – Radeon RX 6800M – 512GB SSD $1,099 (was $1,699)
• ASUS TUF Dash F15, $1449.99 (Was $1,599.99)
• ASUS VivoBook Pro 16X, $1399 (Was $1,649.99)
• ASUS – ROG Zephyrus 14” WQXGA 120Hz Gaming Laptop – AMD Ryzen 9– 16GB DDR5 Memory – AMD Radeon RX 6700S – 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD $1,099 (was $1,649)
• Razer Blade 15, $1,799.99 (Was $2,999.99)
• Razer Blade Pro 17, $1,799.99 (Was $3,199.99)

The best Memorial Day desktop deals

• M2 Mac Mini, $499 (Was $599)
• Dell Inspiron 3910 Desktop, $651 (Was $749.99)
• Acer Aspire TC-1760-UA92 Desktop, $549.99 (Was $619.99)
• Acer Predator Orion 3000 PO3-630-UA15 Gaming Desktop, $1599.98 (Was $1,699.99)
• ASUS ROG Strix GA35 Gaming Desktop, $3,409.98 (Was $4,299.99)
• HP 2022 Newest All-in-One Desktop, $529 (Was $589)
• HP Envy Desktop Bundle PC, $1,299.99 (Was $1,599.99)

The best Memorial Day monitor deals

• Dell E1916HV, $79.99 (Was $109.99)
• Acer Nitro KG241Y, $119.99 (Was $179.99)
• Acer R240HY, $99.99 (Was $149.99)
• ASUS VG247Q1A, $159 (Was $169)
• SAMSUNG CF39, $159 (Was $219.99)
• SAMSUNG LC49G95TSSNXZA, $1,049.99 (Was $1,399.99)
• LG SDQHD, $596.99 (Was $699.99)
• BenQ GW2780T, $199.99 (Was $229.99)

The post The best Memorial Day computer and laptop deals: MacBooks, monitors, and more appeared first on Popular Photography.

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By now, you may be sick of hearing us talk about how useful a portable SSD can be. They’re fast enough that you can edit directly off of them and they keep your computer’s internal drive nice and tidy. Right now, Amazon has some of Samsung’s most popular portable SSDs at deeply discounted prices that are worth jumping on. You’ll find a solid selection of discounted memory cards as well.

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 4TB, Portable SSD $219 (was $429)

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I have personally been using one of these as my main portable SSD for a few months now, and it has been absolutely rock solid. It promises read and write speeds over 1,000 MB/s, and it’s absurdly tough. It has an IP65 rating, which means it’s resistant to water and dust. Plus, it can survive a fall from just under 10 feet without losing all your data. Let’s see a portable HDD with a spinning platter inside do that. Even with all that speed and ruggedness, it’s light and tiny. It weighs roughly 3.5 ounces, and it’s small and flat enough to fit in the fifth pocket of your jeans (depending on the jeans, of course).

If 4TB is too much for you, you can also get the 2TB for a very cheap $119 or the 1TB version for $74.

More Samsung portable SSD deals

• SAMSUNG T7 2TB $114 (was $149)
• SAMSUNG SSD T7 Portable External Solid State Drive 1TB $79 (was $139)
• SAMSUNG MUF-256AB/AM FIT Plus 256GB $25 (was $33)
• SAMSUNG Type-C™ USB Flash Drive, 128GB $16 (was $23)

Samsung SD card deals

• SAMSUNG EVO Plus Full Size 256GB SDXC Card $22 (was $40)
• SAMSUNG EVO Plus Full Size 128 GB SDXC Card $14 (was $20)
• SAMSUNG PRO Plus Full Size SDXC Card 128GB $16 (was $20)

Samsung MicroSD card deals

• SAMSUNG EVO Plus w/ SD Adaptor 512GB Micro SDXC $40 (was $100)
• SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD-Memory-Card + Adapter, 256GB microSDXC $18 (was $40)
• SAMSUNG PRO Endurance 256GB MicroSDXC Memory Card with Adapter $26 (was $54)
• SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD -Memory -Card + Adapter, 64GB microSDXC $8 (was $11)
• SAMSUNG PRO Plus + Reader 128GB microSDXC $18 (was $40)
• SAMSUNG PRO Plus microSD Memory Card + Reader, 128GB MicroSDXC $18 (was $25)
• SAMSUNG PRO Plus SD Full Size SDXC Card Plus Reader 128GB $20 (was $36)

The post Amazon has deep discounts on Samsung portable SSDs and memory cards right now appeared first on Popular Photography.

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You wouldn’t know it by looking at it, but the M2 Mac Mini is an extremely capable computer when it comes to editing photos and videos. The M2 chip, with its integrated memory and unique architecture, can churn through high-res images and video with almost shocking speed considering its size. Its $599 base price is already a bargain (relatively speaking), but Amazon currently has the base model for just $499.

Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2, 256GB storage $499 (was $599)

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This is as stock as the Mac Mini comes, but it still offers an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU capable of editing 4K video and beyond without breaking a sweat. It’s not a Mac Studio for those of you who want to be Pixar, but I’ve edited tons of social video and other content on a base-model Mac Mini, and it has consistently outperformed my much more powerful and (about five times as expensive) Threadripper-based PC. Yes, this model only comes with 256GB of internal storage, but its ports include a pair of Thunderbolt 4 connectors and two USB-A sockets for easily adding additional storage.

Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 chip $679 (was $799)

If you want some extra built-in storage, the 512GB Mac Mini will set you back $679. The specs are otherwise identical, but if you’d rather rely on built-in storage than external drives, the extra room is a nice addition.

Apple 2023 14.2-inch MacBook Pro Laptop M2 Pro chip with 10‑core CPU and 16‑core GPU $1,749 (was $1,999)

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If you’re looking for a laptop, the M2 Pro MacBook Pro is a monster of a machine. I still use the M1 Pro version of this exact computer for my day-to-day editing, which includes huge photo files in Lightroom and Capture One Pro, as well as editing 4K raw video in Final Cut Pro. This is the lowest price we have seen in months (if not ever), so it’s worth a look.

More deals on Macs and iPads

Maybe you’re not in the market for a Mac Mini. That’s OK. Amazon currently has iPads and MacBook computers on sale as well.

• Apple iPad (9th Generation) $279 (was $339)
• Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) $1,049 (was $1,099)
• 2021 Apple 11-inch iPad Pro (Wi‑Fi, 128GB) $669 (was $1,199, Renewed)
• Apple 2022 MacBook Pro Laptop with M2 chip $1,099 (was $1,299)
• Apple 2022 MacBook Pro Laptop with M2 chip $1,299 (was $1,499)
• Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip $799 (was $999)

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Peak Design is a fairly unique company in how they release new gear. Since the company’s beginning, it has launched new products through crowdfunding. It explains that the crowdfunding method of funding allows the company to “take risks, prioritize innovation, speak honestly, and shun tradition.” The process has resulted in some fantastic gear over the years, including our favorite travel tripod, a variety of excellent bags, and plenty of smartphone accessories. And now, it has launched its 11th Kickstarter for its latest product offering, the Peak Design Micro Clutch.

What is the Peak Design Micro Clutch?

The Micro Clutch is a simple, minimalist hand strap that Peak Design created specifically for mirrorless cameras. Since many (not all) mirrorless cameras are quite a bit smaller than their DSLR counterparts, they sometimes provide a less secure and often less comfortable grip. The Micro Clutch aims to improve that, giving you a more stable and secure hold on your expensive camera.

If you are familiar with Peak Design gear, you may already know of the original Clutch. While they serve the same function, the original Clutch is a larger hand strap intended for bulkier DSLR cameras. The Micro Clutch utilizes a much more minimal design to better fit the smaller design of mirrorless cameras. It’s also more low-profile, making it easier to leave on the camera and still pop it in a camera bag.

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Peak Design Micro Clutch details

The Micro Clutch is comprised of a recycled aluminum base plate with a sliding screw slot. It features a cleverly hidden adjustment tool, so you can loosen the base plate and access the battery door without needing to keep any extra tools on hand. It also means that you won’t need to fumble around in your camera bag looking for a special tool if you’re on location and need to swap batteries.

The hand pad is made of stitchless hypalon and is connected to the base plate with a rotating pivot point. The other end of the strap goes through the split ring, where you would attach a camera strap. The length is very adjustable, so you can fit the strap to your hand and shooting style. And there’s an extra attachment point on the baseplate where you can girth hitch Peak Design’s Anchor Connectors, allowing you to have a camera strap attached at the same time. It also comes with an Arca tripod plate, so you can use your camera on a Peak Design tripod without removing the base plate.

First impressions of the Peak Design Micro Clutch

I was sent a Micro Clutch by Peak Design a few weeks early to review, and though I haven’t had any long days out shooting yet, I’ve been really happy with it. It feels comfortable on the hand and provides ample adjustability, so you can easily tailor it to your hand size and shooting style. And it looks nice and discreet on the camera, which I appreciate. We’ll work on a full review down the line but are pleased with it thus far.

Pricing & availability

The Micro Clutch is available in either an “L” style base plate for cameras with a built-in grip or an “I” base plate for straight bodies. The Kickstarter for both versions begins today and runs through June 8th. The presale price through the Kickstart campaign is $50.00, offering you 23 percent off the full-price MSRP of $64.95. And you can even add other Peak Design products for up to 50 percent off through the Kickstarter as well. For those who don’t want to deal with a Kickstarter, it will be available for purchase in early July.

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Best overall		Lenovo ThinkVision M14 14-inch portable monitor		SEE IT	A solid mix of features and price
Best for photographers		Wacom DTK1660K0A Cintiq 16 drawing tablet with screen		SEE IT	An advanced option for serious editing
Best for macs		ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP 15.6-inch portable monitor		SEE IT	A great companion for your MacBook Pro

Laptops are wonderful because they will let you work from just about anywhere. And while modern machines have plenty of power for photo editing, the screens can still feel cramped once you have a photo and your chosen program’s interface splayed across the display. The best portable monitors provide ample extra screen to work without requiring lots of effort to lug them around. We’ve curated a list of some of the best and most useful models and listed them below. Here’s our list of the best portable monitors available this year:

• Best overall: Lenovo ThinkVision M14 14-inch Monitor
• Best for photographers: Wacom DTK1660K0A Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet
• Best for Macs: ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP 15.6-inch Portable Monitor
• Best budget: AOC I1659FWUX 15.6-inch Portable Monitor
• Best for gaming: ASUS ROG Strix 17.3-inch 1080P (XG17AHPE)

How we chose the best portable monitors

For our ratings of best portable monitors, we chose a range of current models at different price points, since models can range in price from models that cost less than $125 to those that cost more than $500. We also searched for models that can be easily bought from major online retail outlets. We then researched, selected and tested models that included the broadest spectrum of features and capabilities, which met the needs of most users, from professional photographers to consumers who were on a budget.

The best portable monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

Best overall: Lenovo ThinkVision M14 14-inch portable monitor

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Why It Made The Cut: If you’re looking for an inexpensive, very lightweight, but dependable portable monitor, this Lenovo may fit the bill

Key Features

• Display size: 14 inches 
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 60 Hz
• Panel type: IPS
• Contrast ratio: 700:1
• Dimensions: 3.82 x 12.72 x 8.23 inches
• Weight: 1.26 lbs 

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Relatively inexpensive
• Decent color accuracy
• Include’s Lenovo’s low blue light technology

Cons

• Not as responsive as more expensive models
• Offers few controls to adjust the brightness or contrast of the display

This Lenovo portable monitor is great if you need a compact, easy to use, plug-and-play display. It’s also great for traveling, since it’s very lightweight. You’ll need to connect it via a USB Type-C connection–and there are two USB Type-C ports on the portable monitor. So, you can use one to connect the table to your laptop for content and use the other for powering the tablet. In other words, it lets you charge both the ThinkVision M14 and your laptop with a single adapter.

It also comes with Lenovo’s Low Blue Light technology, to reduce eyestrain.

It’s not perfect. For example, it’s not quite as responsive as pricier models and it doesn’t have many on-board controls to adjust the screen’s brightness or contrast. However, for most office tasks, it should perform just fine. 

Best for photographers: Wacom DTK1660K0A Cintiq 16 drawing tablet with screen

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Why It Made The Cut: Ideal for those who want precise control to make edits on images, digital graphics and other creative task.

Key Features

• Display size: 15.6 inches 
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Panel type: IPS
• Contrast ratio: 1000:1
• Dimensions: 16.6 x 11.2 x 0.4 inches
• Weight: 4.19 lbs 

Pros

• Unique combination of touchscreen technology and creative controls 
• Powerful Wacom Pro Pen 2 stylus pen
• Solid color accuracy
• Intuitive interface

Cons

• Expensive and heavy for a portable monitor
• Some may find there’s a learning curve to using this portable monitor

For many years, Wacom’s Cintiq tablets have been the go-to portable monitors for many types of creatives, from graphic artists to photographers to animators and more. And although the Wacom Cintiq 16 is pricey, the reason so many artists and content creators use Wacom Cintiq models is that they offer a unique experience of letting you interact with a touchscreen display via a touch sensitive pen (the Wacom Pro Pen 2). This model is no exception.

You simply connect it to your computer, via two cables—an HDMI cable and a USB cable. Then, just start up your favorite graphics, image-editing or animation app, at which point you can start using the Cintiq 16 as a second screen. In doing so, it offers you powerful and precise ways to control your work, whether you’re producing illustrations, creating edits on your digital photos, or producing new animations. (A very similar tablet, the Wacom Cintiq 22, which is a 22-inch portable monitor, is available in a larger size, for a lot more money.) It’s likely overkill for most users, but essential for others.

Best for Mac: ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP 15.6-inch portable monitor

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Why It Made The Cut: When you don’t have access to an AC outlet, this portable monitor can run on the power from its built-in battery.

Key Features

• Display size: 15.6 inches 
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 60 Hz
• Panel type: IPS
• Contrast ratio: 700:1
• Dimensions: 14.16 x 8.95 x 0.35 inches
• Weight: 1.9 lbs

Pros

• Comes with a convenient built-in battery
• Elegantly designed
• Good image quality
• Inventive design
• Includes a blue light filter to reduce eye strain

Cons

• A bit pricey

A convenient feature that stands out on this flicker-free portable monitor: its built-in battery, which will sustain power for up to 4 hours. It also can connect, via USB-C or micro-HDMI ports, with not only laptops but also with mobile phones, game consoles, and cameras. And it comes with a blue light filter to reduce eye strain. If you need to change the orientation of the display, this ASUS monitor automatically senses its orientation and switches the monitor between landscape and portrait modes. Plus, it has a foldable smart case, which can be turned into a stand to prop the monitor up in either portrait or landscape modes.

Best budget: AOC I1659FWUX 15.6-inch portable monitor

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Why It Made The Cut: If you’re on a budget, this AOC portable monitor is a very good value.

Key Features

• Display size: 15.6 inches 
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 60 Hz
• Panel type: IPS
• Contrast ratio: 700:1
• Dimensions: 9.16 x 1.4 x 14.64 inches
• Weight: 2.64 lbs 

Pros

• Inexpensive 
• Nicely designed
• Low blue light filter to reduce eye strain
• Comes with a foldable stand

Cons

• Not as versatile as others in its class.

For those on a budget, this AOC 15.6-inch portable monitor is a very good value. It’s easy to use, too: Just connect the display to your laptop via one USB cable. That means you don’t need extra media cables or a power supply. The USB cable itself transfers data to the screen and acts as an energy-efficient power source. Plus, it has full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, can auto-rotate to the correct orientation (landscape or portrait) and has an innovative, foldable stand. However, you won’t find as many ports or controls as you’ll get with pricier models.

Best gaming monitor: ASUS ROG Strix 17.3-inch 1080P (XG17AHPE) portable gaming monitor

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Why It Made The Cut: This ASUS is thin and portable, but also quite powerful and versatile

Key Features

• Display size: Xx.x 17.3 inches 
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 240 Hz
• Panel type: IPS
• Contrast ratio: 1000:1
• Dimensions: 15.71 x 9.86 x 0.39 inches
• Weight: 2.34 lbs 

Pros

• Large 17.3-inch full HD monitor
• Very responsive: 240 Hz refresh rate and 3 ms response time
• Comes with 7800 mAh built-in battery
• Has USB-C and micro-HDMI ports

Cons

• Expensive

A very quick response time and its high refresh rate make this the go-to portable monitor for gaming. It also comes with a 7800mAh battery, which provides you with 3 hours of power. On the side of the display, you’ll find a variety of connections, including USB-C and micro-HDMI ports, and an audio out port, for headphones. And according to the tech specs, this ASUS portable monitor also has a 100% sRGB color gamut, 1,000:1 contrast ratio and a wide viewing angle of 178 degrees, which should ensure minimal distortion and color shift, even when you’re viewing from an extreme angle. For a portable monitor, it’s definitely pricey, but it makes a great monitor for almost anyone, not just gamers. 

What to consider when buying the best portable monitors

Use the following information to help guide you to find the right model for your needs:

What kind of work are you doing?

Before you take a deep dive into the tech specs of any specific portable monitor, you should take a moment to figure out how you want to actually use your extra monitor. If you’re like most people, you might need it for general work and personal use, in which case you might not need the most robust specifications or the latest features. But if you’re looking to do a lot of gaming or you want to play or work on a lot of multimedia, in which you might be doing a lot of photo- or video-editing, then you’ll want to make sure that you have a better, more responsive portable monitor. In other words, you want your motion graphics, video clips, photos and animations to appear correctly in your projects. 

Size and weight

Since it is, after all, a portable monitor, you’ll want to make sure that it’s not only the right size for your needs, but that it also isn’t too heavy, which can make it difficult when you need to travel with it. Most of the monitors on this list come in between one to four pounds. Most useful models tend to be between 15 and 17 inches, which would basically double the amount of screen real estate compared to most laptops. 

Resolution

At the moment, most portable monitors display at 1080p, although 4K will eventually become the standard as pixel counts continue their upward march. More pixels mean more power consumption, though, so 1080p is totally fine for now. 

Power 

Most portable monitors come with a USB-C type cable. However, some of these monitors can also be powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, which can be very useful when you don’t have access to an AC outlet.

Ports and connections

Since these monitors are almost always thin and lightweight, they aren’t always equipped with a lot of connections and ports. Always check the features and specs on the web (preferably on the product page for the portable monitor) to see what type of connections, and how many, are on the model. 

Touchscreen: Decide if you need your portable monitor to have touchscreen capabilities. Some portable monitors include them, but you’ll pay extra for this feature. 

FAQs 

Additional shopping tips for finding the best portable monitors

In addition to our advice at the start of this guide, consider the following tips when searching for the best portable monitor: 

• For the best price, buy a portable monitor in January (when the new models are announced and new ones go on sale), August (for back-to-school sales), or November (for Black Friday). 
• Avoid buying an extended warranty, but look for a decent warranty from the manufacturer. 
• Look for a portable monitor that has as many connections as possible.
• Examine the portable monitor’s finish—is it too shiny or matte? Be sure the finish or surface of the screen it’s acceptable to you for the type of work you need to do and for the type of environment you’ll be working in. 
• Check the viewing angle of your portable monitor if you plan on using it with others. For instance, if you’re planning to present movies on the monitor, you’ll want to make sure others can see the screen without getting a distorted image. 

A final word on what’s next for the best portable monitors

• Best overall: Lenovo ThinkVision M14 14-inch Monitor
• Best for photographers: Wacom DTK1660K0A Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet
• Best for Macs: ASUS ZenScreen Go MB16AHP 15.6-inch Portable Monitor
• Best budget: AOC I1659FWUX 15.6-inch Portable Monitor
• Best for gaming: ASUS ROG Strix 17.3-inch 1080P (XG17AHPE)

It’s a great time to be searching for the best portable display, since some manufacturers are introducing new models at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Here are a few portable monitors that show where portable monitor technology might be headed: 

• LG’s foldable display: LG unveiled a new “17-inch Foldable OLED for laptops,” but the company says the display will be entirely crease-free at the point of folding, which will let users enjoy one device in various ways and forms, including as a tablet to a laptop to even a portable monitor. LG also said the screen will be a touchscreen.

• Two new ASUS portable monitors: At this year’s CES, ASUS introduced two new portable monitors: The new ZenScreen Ink MB14AHD is a 14-inch display designed for those who like to take a lot of notes: It has dual-touch functionality that comes with an active stylus for writing on the monitor when you need to jot down a lot of notes. With the new ZenScreen Go MB16AWP, which is a 15.6-inch portable monitor, ASUS focused on Wi-Fi features: So, for devices running iOS, Android and macOS, it can wirelessly mirror those devices. But for PCs running Windows 10 or 11, it’s able to serve as an extended wireless display. 

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

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Memory cards may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of Samsung. However, it has been making the devices since the early 2000s. In fact, the tech giant makes quite a variety of both SD and microSD cards. And it has just announced the newest cards in its lineup, an updated version of the PRO Plus memory cards. Both the SD and microSD versions offer a video speed class rating of V30. And Samsung promises faster speeds, making them compatible with 4K ultra-high definition recording.

Samsung PRO Plus SD

The PRO Plus SDXC is a UHS-I card with U3 and V30 speed class ratings. It’s compatible with most cameras that use SD cards, including DSLRs, mirrorless, and compact cameras, though always be sure to verify them. Samsung promises read speeds up to 180 MB/s, which is a 12 percent increase over the previous version of the PRO Plus SD. It should offer write speeds up to 130 MB/s, which is an eight percent increase from its predecessor.

Samsung builds in serious protection for its cards, helping them last longer. They are protected against shock, water, extreme temperatures, x-ray, wear out, drops, and magnet impact. It’s also protected by a ten-year limited warranty.

Pricing & availability

The PRO Plus SD is available in multiple capacities: 64GB for $12.99, 128GB for $21.99, and 256GB for $37.99. You can also bundle the 128GB card with Samsung’s card reader for $29.99 or get the 256GB card with the card reader for $49.99.

Samsung PRO Plus microSD

The PRO Plus microSD is truly just a smaller version of the SD card. It offers the same UHS-I interface with U3 and V30 speed class ratings. And it features the same read and write speeds of 180 MB/s and 130 MB/s, respectively. Like the SD card, the read speed is a 12 percent increase while the write speed is eight percent faster than the previous PRO Plus microSD. It would work well in action cameras, drones, mobile devices, and even gaming consoles.

Pricing & availability

The Samsung PRO Plus microSD is available in even larger capacities than the SD. The 128GB version is priced at $18.99, 256GB at $29.99, and 512GB at $59.99. You can bundle each capacity with the card reader for $25.99, $37.99, and $64.99, respectively.

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